8800GTS?

[F41c0n]

I'm new to the forum, so hi everyone. I have a pretty good knowledge of software, and some hardware, but I haven't kept up on graphics cards lately.

What are your opinions on the Nvidia 8800GTS? I was considering purchasing one, along with a new mobo with PCIe slot(s).

I have heard a fair amount of reviews saying that it runs at very high temps. I currently do not have any specialized cooling (I do have a pretty good amount of fans in my case though, which keeps temps at mid 20's for mobo, low 30's for CPU, mid 40's for GPU core (ATi X850 Pro), high 30's for GPU ambient, and mid 30's for my HD's), and I don't really have the money to invest in something such as watercooling right now.

Do you think that this card is a good option for me?

 

[F41c0n]

Also, should I go with the ASUS or the eVGA version?

 

[jivetrky]

Nah, it'll be fine cooling wise. An the GTS is a great card. What kind of Power Supply do you have? (Brand, model, power rating)

And I'd recommend eVGA, great warranty, great customer service.

 

[One Bull]

Depends on what cpu you have, if you have an old or budget cpu (celerons?) the card would be very limited and you would have no advantages at all.

I don't know which version you should get, if I had to guess I'd guess ASUS but thatt's because I like most of their stuff...

 

[F41c0n]

I currently have a AMD 64 3200+ CPU (socket 939), and a 450W (with 14A on the 12+ rail ), I know I need to upgrade that, any suggestions on a reasonably priced one?

Could you recommend a good mobo too? One that supports 182-pin DDR RAM.

 

[F41c0n]

Sorry to double post/bump, but does anyone else have any recommendations? I want to try and get a list together by tonight.

 

[jivetrky]

Well a good s939 MB would be an Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe or A8N-E for non SLI.

What kind of money can you spend for this upgrade? I mean, you could buy a PSU that would be fine with this rig for $70-ish ....but I'd recommend buying a very good PSU for $120-ish and then use it when up upgrade from this s939 system.

So maybe you can figure out your budget?

 

[F41c0n]

6 maybe 7 hundred max.

The card is about 450, so that leaves 150-250 for the mobo and PSU :/

 

[Shinobi13]

Get a cheaper card. 7900 Series will run anything you through at it decent enough. Unless of course you have a huge LCD monitor.

Asus makes good MBs now, get a e6300 and a better PSU, it will cost maybe a bit more but you will be happy. Save money and buy what you want/need, it is better that way instead of buying cheap hoping to get something out of it that you`ll never get then being disappointed and spend more money anyhow in the long run. Trust me on this.....Or not, your choice.

 

[F41c0n]

Well, 120 for a PSU, and 130 for a mobo isn't exactly cheap..

 

[Shinobi13]

Well, 120 for a PSU, and 130 for a mobo isn't exactly cheap..

Well if you are willing to spend a ton of cash on a 8800 vid card, think about it. You are going to want a system that will run good together, not a system that has one high end component, while the others will not be able to run with it (bottle neck, you will not be able to utilize that 8800 fully). You will be constantly be upgrading. I know, I did this for years and regret it. You don`t have to spend 120 on a PSU, there are ones out there under 100 US that will handle just fine and last that are stable. Mobo, depends, you want to OC or just stability?

Check newegg for PSUs and read the reviews, find one that appeals to you then google it and see what gaming websites have to say about it.

It is all about the research you put into your rig and of course the cash you are willing to spend.

 

[F41c0n]

I'm thinking of this PSU. High watts, high amps, and ENERMAX has been in the buisness for a long time, so they know what they are doing.

Comments?

 

[jivetrky]

First of all, you can get the A8n-E for $77. There's no need getting an SLI motherboard. If you ever wanted to put 2 of those 8800's in SLI, you will need a much more powerful CPU So you'd be using a totally new system.

And I recommended the ~$120 PSU so that you COULD use it in the next build you did. If you buy the Silverstone ST56ZF for $135, then you should have enough power for your next build, which would hopefully be a Conroe system, or whatever is out by that time. Of course you could just buy a ~$70 PSU and probably do OK with that setup. But then wouldn't be able to recycle it later.

So if you got the Asus A8n-E, eVGA 8800GTS, and Silverstone PSU from Newegg...you'll be spending about $680 (Plus shipping)

You could also get an OCZ Powerstream 520W, which should hold up for another build. That PSU is about the same price as the Silverstone, but it has a $25 Mail in rebate.

 

[jivetrky]

I'm thinking of this PSU. High watts, high amps, and ENERMAX has been in the buisness for a long time, so they know what they are doing.

Comments?

Those Liberty PSU's are pretty decent, but I'd still recommend spending another $30 upfront (and get $25 of it back) and get a more powerful, stable PSU in the OCZ

 

[MoreGooder]

I've had the 620 W version of that Liberty PSU for over a year now. It's fantastic. Very stable system. (see sig)

 

[nvidiaOCmaster]

Enermax makes great PSU's. Better can be had for their prices though.


I would go for at least a 600W so you can be semi-future proof. If you can swing it, get a 700W OCZ Gamestream for only 134$ today and tommorow, and be 100% future proof.

 

[F41c0n]

Alright, it looks like I'll go with the 700w OCZ. Thanks for the help everyone!